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Summary: Arsenal for skeptics and direct challenge to believers
Review: After 19 years of evangelical preaching, missionizing, Evangelism and Christian songwriting, Dan Barker "threw out the bathwater and discovered there is no baby there." Barker describes the intellectual and psychological struggle required to move from fundamentalism to freethought. Sections on biblical morality, the historicity of Jesus, bible contradictions, the unbelievable resurrection, and much more. This book is an arsenal for skeptics and a direct challenge to believers.
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Summary: No simple answers...
Review: It is very easy to get polarized with this kind of books and go to the extreme of considering the author a very enlightened person or to the other extreme and labeling the author with ugly names. The issue is very complex and simple answers are probably not correct. For example, is Reason an absolute that exists out there or is it only a state of being working inside humans? Is 1 + 1 = 2 an absolute or is it true only on limited circumstances? For example, if you mix one gallon each of different liquids you don't always get two gallons. If you invest twice the effort in something most of the time the results are not twice as good, etc. Sure, in the mathematical, abstract, cold case, 1 + 1 equals 2, but in many real instances in life it does not and thus Reason and its constructions might be totally unsuitable for comprehending God, the Soul, creating values, experiencing bliss, and... achieving eternal life.
I seem to come from the opposite direction as Mr. Baker. I started as a firm atheist who thought the Bible was nothing more than the writings of some ancient people from a certain part of the planet and that it was at the most literature, nothing more. I actually felt sorry for all the religious persons. Up to this day I still find some comfort in books like Mr. Barker's as one part of myself cannot conceive defeat after 30 years as an atheist... and yet now I know that the Bible is true to a degree our reasonable mind can't conceive (much to my chagrin).
In order to develop spiritually, we must not worship Reason. We should use it as a tool in life, but not trust it for the ultimate questions. If we don't transcend Reason, then we may follow the fate of Mr. Barker.
Most religious persons feel very insecure about what they believe and thus are not prepared to read or discuss a book like "Losing Faith in Faith".
Most of the arguments in favor of religion are just words, clever use of logic, but no substance. If somebody wants to confront a real heavy-weight with respect to religion, I would recommend Emanuel Swedenborg and in particular his book Heaven and Hell. If after reading him with open mind you are still an atheist, then please contact me, I might need your advice.
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Summary: This book was such a relief!
Review: I have gone through the same experience the author of this book describes. I was not prepared for the reaction of my Christian friends. People I once thought were some of the kindest and most non-conditionally loving people, suddenly became "vicious," and resorted to name-calling & personal attacks--rather than being willing to debate the issues (which they could not). It has been a very painful experience--like "divorcing" the Church. Trust me--Christians don't give you an "easy" divorce, and and there's nothing "loving" about it once you change your beliefs. I was involved in many types of ministry similar to what the author described, but when I told my friends about my change in beliefs, I suddenly developed a "flawed" character, which they knew I had all along. I had hoped I could maintain my relationships with my friends even after my deconversion, but I found that was an impossibility (their choice). What a small religion & small people. Yes, I am bitter!
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Summary: Very enlightening
Review: This book makes sense! Easy to read, great arguments, based on personal experience. A great read for anyone opening their minds to skeptisism.
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Summary: Are you kidding me?
Review: Barker believes that logic is a function of the brain. He couldn't prove this nor name a philosopher who believes this. If logic is a function of the brain then two and two can equal five! And, Barker would have to believe this! Don't take my word for it, he actually tries to defend the fact that logic is reduceable to matter.
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Summary: I'm surprised...
Review: ...anybody can support Dan Barker who believes that the laws of induction don't exist; that if people didn't exist, laws wouldn't exist; that putting the Bible in context isn't important. What makes people support Barker who believes in such nonsence? If you're interested, Michael Butler demolishes Dan Barker in a debate you should make an effort to get. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a Christian (I'm agnostic), but I think you should be fair in assessing Christian theism...Barker isn't.
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Summary: Bursting bubbles
Review: I've visited and studied many Christian denominations and feel a kinship with the disbelief of Dan Barker, who eagerly and sincerely sought God for years. He tried to keep his faith in God but could not reconcile faith and reason. In the end, reason and common sense won. This should not pose a threat to Christians, some of whom reacted harshly to this book. I was saddened but not surprised by the cracked logic of some of Barker's critics and their propensity for flawed logic and poor writing. I recommend that both critics and fans of this book read Eric Hoffer's "True Believer." It describes a True Believer mindset, which seeks absolutes that give comfort for insecure people living in a complex world. True Believers do not have to believe in God. They may be Marxists who believe that history is marching inexorably toward an anti-capitalist world in which workers own the means of production and equitably share its benefits. Some hardcore Marxists still cling to this view though there has never been a communist government that offers basic freedoms taken for granted in democracies. Religious fundamentalists believe in the literal truth of holy scripture, whether it be the Bible, Koran or other religious text (s). This causes an either/or problem: either you believe in it and all of its contradictions and mythology or you don't and lose your soul. The fragile building collapses when science and reason burst this literalist bubble. Therefore, being a doubting Christian is viewed as a threat to salvation. As a result, doubt is not seen as a quest for truth but as the work of the devil. This leads to the blind acceptance of authority. But it's good to be a doubter. The world is a better place when people think critically and challenge authority, be it religious or secular. This is the central focus of Barker's book. Fundamentalists seem to think that evolution has to be wrong because it doesn't jive with scripture's account of creation. But more and more Christians are accepting evolution as scientific fact and part of God's plan. This book is not scholarly. It's not meant to be. Rather, it's a man's quest to seek truth in his life. Both believers and unbelievers would benefit from this quest.
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Summary: Eye opening!
Review: This book is a must for anyone who has ever questioned the christian religion(s). Dan Barker is intelligent, elloquent and has crafted a wonderful book for anyone looking for some not so spiritual guidance.
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Summary: Best. Atheist. Book. EVER.
Review: Dan Barker manages to tell his amazing story of conversion from a preacher to atheist while simultaneously unravelling the myths behind Christianity and their god. Barker's work is interesting, and even funny at points. Chapter 19, "Dear Theologian", is the absolute best atheist work I have ever read. I personally can't see how anyone could still have the same belief in their god after reading this section. I do have one minor complaint about this book, however. Much of the material is rehashed. Many of the "chapters" were actually originally articles written for Freethought Today, a freethinking newsletter. If you had read all these articles, you may get bored with the regurgitated material. Overall, if you are a freethinker or thinking about becoming one, you must read this book. It will either reaffirm your lack of belief or convince you to leave religion, for good.
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Summary: Imperfect...not worth reading
Review: One of the worst critcisms of Christianity! This is high school stuff. Speaking of high school, Dan Barker is rather childish when it comes to the question of induction. He says he believes in induction, then he says he doesn't believe in induction, then he thinks the question of induction is not important. So, which one is it? He's scared about what the justification of induction entails...a Christian worldview! Anybody who debates him should bring up the question of induction because he doesn't know anything about it... and he knows it's important. Every philosopher and scientist in the world has to believe in it. Not believing in it is foolishness.
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